Side question: Who get's the headset in the defense now? JJ Watt is the easy answer, but do you want a DE to be making the defensive calls?

That's unlikely given that we rotate our d-line quite a bit. Headset needs to go to a player that's expected to be on the field at all times so likely James (sigh) or whichever of the safeties stays on for run (heavy) formations.

That and you can't see shifts/motions/Offensive alignments very well as a Defensive Lineman._________________

Side question: Who get's the headset in the defense now? JJ Watt is the easy answer, but do you want a DE to be making the defensive calls?

That's unlikely given that we rotate our d-line quite a bit. Headset needs to go to a player that's expected to be on the field at all times so likely James (sigh) or whichever of the safeties stays on for run (heavy) formations.

I'd give it to Danieal Manning. While Jonathan Joseph is the keynote player in the secondary in terms of fanfare, Manning seems to be the on-field leader of the unit, making the calls in the secondary and keeping that unit aligned. I wonder if he could carry the traits into the front seven...

While we hate Bradie James for his on-field play, he is a very smart veteran who gets the scheme. It just so happens he doesn't have the legs or body for the scheme anymore._________________

Side question: Who get's the headset in the defense now? JJ Watt is the easy answer, but do you want a DE to be making the defensive calls?

That's unlikely given that we rotate our d-line quite a bit. Headset needs to go to a player that's expected to be on the field at all times so likely James (sigh) or whichever of the safeties stays on for run (heavy) formations.

That and you can't see shifts/motions/Offensive alignments very well as a Defensive Lineman.

Unrelated sidenote: Right before kickoff, they were asking the ESPN guys who they were picking. Keyshawn Johnson - a former Jet - was slow in his prediction, then said the Texans. The whole ESPN crew asked him way, Johnson was slow to respond, and then said one of the funniest things I've heard from ESPN:

"...Tom just said they have a DE who has EYES IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, HOW I GONNA PICK AGAINST HIM!?"

I just heard this morning on the radio that Cushing led the Texans in tackles. Big loss. Texans just can't catch a break, man.

I guess we'll see what kind of impact it has in the next few weeks. They still have a ton of talent on that defense, but I know that defenses play as a team. Had Justin Smith been injured last year, Aldon Smith would not have had 14 sacks in his rookie year. It just wouldn't have happened. That's not criticizing either player, it's just that they work as a team. Losing a member, hurts the team in ways you can't always predict.

Who knows, though. Maybe the guy they go with is just as good or better and just hasn't been given a shot yet. It's happened before in the NFL._________________

Big blow for that defense. Hopefully he doesn't work out too hard during his recovery so it looks like he took steroids..._________________To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift-Steve Prefontaine

The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.